Malicious Code Injection in 'appropriate_wolverine_z3n' Package: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-98620: Malicious code in appropriate_wolverine_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The 'appropriate_wolverine_z3n' package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package, like many others, is intended to provide functionality for developers but has been compromised. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has led to the proliferation of malicious packages designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'appropriate_wolverine_z3n' originates from its association with a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file. This modification removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use this package, as it can lead to the execution of malicious code and compromise their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall appropriate_wolverine_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the 'appropriate_wolverine_z3n' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can use the following command to uninstall the package: npm uninstall appropriate_wolverine_z3n.
Conclusion
The 'appropriate_wolverine_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that modifies essential files and repopulates the npm registry with harmful variants. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and consider using tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring of vulnerabilities in their applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been compromised and is part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
Using this package can lead to the execution of malicious code, compromising your application's security and integrity.
You should immediately uninstall the package and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
